Overview

Ratings & Reviews

Synopsis

CreedAdonis Johnson Creed (Michael B. Jordan), the son of former heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, attempts to follow in his father's footsteps and become a boxing legend in his own right. Apollo died in the ring in the 1980s at the hand of Russian pugilist Ivan Drago, forcing Adonis to grow up without his dad in his life. The young man travels to Philadelphia to find his late father's nemesis-turned-best friend, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), in order to recruit him as a trainer. Balboa soon takes the young Creed under his wing and helps him get in shape for a shot at the title. Ryan Coogler directs this spin-off of the hugely successful Rocky franchise. ~ Daniel Gelb, Rovi

Stays Loyal to Past ROCKY Movies!

If you love the six Rocky movies, then you will love Creed!
In 1998, Adonis "Donnie" Johnson, the son of an extramarital lover of former heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, is serving time in a Los Angeles youth facility when Creed's widow, Mary Anne, pays him a visit and offers to take him in.
Seventeen years later, Donnie walks away from his job at a securities firm to pursue his dream of becoming a professional boxer. Mary Anne vehemently opposes this, remembering how her husband was killed in the ring 30 years earlier against Ivan Drago. He tries to get a slot at Los Angeles' elite Delphi Boxing Academy, but is turned down. Undaunted, Donnie travels to Philadelphia in hopes of getting in touch with his father's old friend and rival, former heavyweight champion Rocky Balboa.
Donnie tracks down Rocky at Rocky's Italian restaurant, Adrian's, named in honor of his deceased wife, and asks Rocky to become his trainer. Rocky is reluctant to get back into boxing, having already made a one-off comeback at a very advanced age despite having suffered brain trauma during his career as a fighter. However, he eventually agrees. Donnie trains at the Front Street Gym, with several of Rocky's longtime friends as cornermen, and also finds a love interest in Bianca, an up-and-coming singer and songwriter.
Donnie, now known as "Hollywood Donnie," defeats a local fighter, and word gets out that he is Creed's illegitimate son. Rocky gets a call from the handlers of world light heavyweight champion "Pretty" Ricky Conlan, who is due to be forced into retirement by an impending prison term. He offers to make Donnie his final challenger—provided that he change his name to Adonis "Hollywood Donnie" Creed. Donnie balks at first, wanting to forge his own legacy. However, he eventually agrees.
While helping Donnie train, Rocky learns he has non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He is unwilling to undergo chemotherapy, remembering that it was not enough to save Adrian when she had ovarian cancer. His diagnosis and the fact that his best friend and brother-in-law Paulie Pennino—Adrian's brother—has now passed away in addition to Adrian, Apollo and his old trainer Mickey Goldmill further force him to confront his own mortality. Seeing Rocky shaken, Donnie urges him to seek treatment.
Donnie fights Conlan in Conlan's hometown of Liverpool, and many parallels emerge between the bout that ensues and Apollo and Rocky's first fight 40 years earlier. First, before going into the ring, Donnie receives a present from Mary Anne — new American flag trunks similar to the ones Apollo and later Rocky wore. Additionally, to the surprise of nearly everyone, Donnie goes the distance after giving Conlan all he can handle. Conlan wins on a split decision (just as Apollo retained his title by split decision against Rocky), but Donnie has won the respect of Conlan and the crowd. As Jim Lampley puts it while calling the fight for HBO, "Conlan won the fight, but Creed won the night." Conlan tells Donnie that he is the future of the light heavyweight division.
The film ends with Donnie and a frail but improving Rocky climbing the "Rocky Steps" at the entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

I would recommend this to a friend

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Ahcryky

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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

5

So good!

Nine years ago, I thought 'Rocky Balboa' was the final film in the series, but it turns out there was a lot more story to tell. This spin- off and 7th film was very well directed, acted, and will definitely hit you in 'the feels' if you're a huge fan of the Rocky series. I'm man enough to admit that I was in tears the last 30 minutes of the movie. THIS REVIEW WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS! Rocky's character is pretty depressing in this film. But first we must talk about Apollo Creed's extramarital son, Adonis (Donny)
Donny Johnson has lived a tough life. He never knew his dad. He loves to fight, but doesn't want to be associated with the 'Creed' name. (Michael B. Jordan will definitely make a name for himself with this movie.) No one will train him, so he moves to Philadelphia in hopes of meeting Rocky Balboa, the man who fought his dad in the original two films. Rocky is very reluctant to train Donny because he's out of the game, and doesn't believe that Donny is really Apollo's son.
Soon enough, Rocky gives in and decides to train him. Donny wants Rocky to keep it secret about who his dad is. Along the way, Donny meets a beautiful lounge singer named Bianca, who is slowly losing her hearing. When a British fighter named "Pretty" Ricky Conlan hears about Donny being the son of the late Apollo Creed, he wants to fight him.
The tears will begin to flow when we find out that Rocky is sick. Donny inspires him to fight on because Donny and Rocky have an immediate bond that's probably one of the most heartwarming in the whole series because Donny and Bianca give Rocky a new reason to try and keep living.
There are major nods, throwbacks and flashbacks to the previous Rocky movies. The main fight is awesome, powerful and will definitely bring out some nostalgia during the final round. This movie is definitely an experience and a beautiful tribute to the Rocky series and will hopefully start something new. I highly recommend CREED!!!

I would recommend this to a friend

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DenverMovieBuff

Member

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

5

Best Rocky franchise film since the original

This is the best Rocky franchise movie since the original. I would put it on par with the original. Growing up in the 80s I didn't quite grow up on the Rocky movies. The franchise started a little before my time so I don't quite have that 'grown up on' nostalgia and I think I enter into this review without bias.
If Rocky is 4* and this is not, it is 3.9*. This is a great movie and Michael B Jordan was snubbed by not at least being nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars. Sylvester Stallone was snubbed by not WINNING Best Supporting Actor. although Stallone is just as known for his slew of action movies as he is for the Rocky franchise, he proves again that he most certainly has some very serious acting chops.
Creed is just as inspiring as the original, but has TWO very inspiring and superbly acted story-lines with the intersecting stories of Adonis Creed and Rocky Balboa both battling their own struggles. As Adonis Creed Michael B Jordan brings an equally powerfully emotional struggle to Creed as Stallone did to the original Rocky, though it is maybe just slightly more nuanced and internally contained.
The blu ray presentation is top-notch. Might be reference quality audio and video but with it being dialogue-driven for the audio and a lot of scenes happening indoors - sometimes in less than perfect lighting - the film doesn't have the opportunity to be reference quality just because of the material. Both the audio and video presentations, however, are as good as they can get for considering the source material. Fantastic audio and video presentations!

I would recommend this to a friend

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Xhinwah

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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

5

Great Reboot/Sequel to the Rocky Franchise.

Rocky is back! Creed got next!
Ryan Coogler infuses some much needed vitality to the Rocky franchise. A fitting last chapter for the Rocky we know and love and an exciting extension of his legacy. Creed is set to take the franchise in a new and intriguing direction. Sylvester Stallone has never been better as a world-weary Balboa. Michael B. Jordan shines as young boxing upstart Adonis, Rocky's eager, hungry protégé and son of former rival turned ally Apollo Creed. Tessa Thompson is beguiling as his love interest.
Although the storyline is predictable, Coogler navigates familiar territory with a perspective that while grounded feels completely fresh. As with the classic first installments to the franchise, this movie is more character study than sports propaganda. It's a compelling look at what drives a person to fight past their history and reach for their future. I'm anxious and excited to see where the future takes these characters.

I would recommend this to a friend

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Aetherhole

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Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4

Solid Rocky Franchise Addition

Posted 1 year ago

Aetherhole

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Inspirational sports movies, such as Rocky always have a place in my collection. This film, while not following Rocky as a main character, is still very much a Rocky film in nature. Following Adonis Creed as he follows indirectly in his father's footsteps was a entertaining premise, although it doesn't feel completely genuine. Still a very entertaining movie that is worthy to add to the Rocky film collection.
As for the UHD performance, it is generally a very good imrovement over the blu-ray version. The HDR highlights and resolution increase is notable throughout. The usage of the wide color gamut was not quite as pronounced. There are instances that the colors look more natural, but the more muted stylistic choice for this film limit the full capability of that aspect. Still, there are instances that the colors do look great, namely the last fight sequence.

I would recommend this to a friend

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nopalooka

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Member

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

5

One of THE BEST of 2015 !

To my mind's eye , it works as No. 3 in the Great "Rocky" pantheon . The original Classic "ROCKY" , the return to His roots "ROCKY BALBOA" , and a return to the beginning with great twists , yet consistent with the other two . It has All the excitement , yet a theme of Fathers & Sons is at the core . Both the Director RYAN COOGLER [co-author of the script] and MICHAEL B. JORDAN as Adonis Johnson , son of Apollo CREED , were slighted by the Academy , by not getting well-deserved Oscar nominations . Has its roots in the past while brought up to date , including the music and even the Training Montage . Finally , Stallone gives a touching performance , with humor, and heartbreak . ROCKY'S trip up the Art Museum steps will result in "misty" eyes . Saw it Twice on the Big Screen , and had to bring the dvd Home . ENJOY !

I would recommend this to a friend

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YoJimbo25

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Elite Member

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4

Worthy of the name

With the final Rocky film, Rocky Balboa finally ending the Rocky saga properly, I was very leary of another film being introduced and using the character again. It took two tries to get it right, don't go messing it up now! So, I was pleasantly suprised to enjoy Creed as much as I did. It kind of took part of the story line from Rocky 5 and repackaged it and fixed it to make a good film within the Rocky universe. Michael B Jordan is great as Adonis and dare I say it, but it's one of Stallone's finest performances ever. Some of the film hit too close to home for me, but I won't throw any spoilers on why in case you haven't seen the film. A very worthy entry to the Rocky films and if you were on the fence about watching it, come on down off it and pick this one up.

I would recommend this to a friend

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CWLW

Elite Plus Member

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

5

A Motivated Story of Boxing

It’s 1998, a Los Angles Code B in a Juvenile Detention Center and Adonis is fighting another detainee – fast forward to Tijuana, Mexico and Adonis is “prepping” for a Boxing Match which is followed by his appearance at a Los Angles Smith Barney office as he resigns his position with the firm. What follows is an interesting and captivating story of a “lost” soul searching for his destiny in the boxing arena. This boxing saga sets itself apart from the general run-of-the-mill boxing stories, it’s a fun – compelling watch, and all the boxing sequences are very realistic and always “on-point.” That, coupled with well-designed sound effects, some good acting, fine cinematography and deft Directorship makes for a great view.